Week 3 Photo Challenge – Out of Focus

January 21, 2019 / Donna Robinson Photography / 7 Comments

I have to admit this wasn’t my favorite theme and it’s probably because I’m always trying to get really crisp photos. Yes, I have seen some incredible images where the subject matter is distorted. And yes, there are various techniques you can use both in camera and in photoshop to make an image dramatic and really stand out.

For the assignment, I started with a favorite photo I took several years ago on a very cold, rainy, winter day. This was actually taken from inside our car on a trip in the North Georgia Mountains. My husband spotted the building as we were driving past it, did a quick U-turn and pulled into the parking lot so I could get the shot.

I have been wanting to try the technique of shooting through a plastic bag, so I started with the basic approach of auto focus, a few extra lights (no flash) and a zip lock bag over the lens (I also used a tripod). As you can see, it was “just ok.” If I were to take this one again, I would definitely add a bounce flash.

Auto Focus

I then moved to manual focus (still using the zip lock bag), but kept the image blurry.

Close Up, Out of Focus

From there, I decided to adjust my white balance settings inside the camera. I left it on AWB, but applied a bracketing technique for white balance compensation.

0 Bracketing; White Balance Compensation A4, M2

-3 Stops Bracketing; White Balance Compensation A4, M2

+3 Stops Bracketing; White Balance Compensation A4, M2

Then, I opened the images into Photoshop and merged them into one (1). I also used the perspective crop tool to take about the mat. Funny thing the photo now looks like an old photograph that has faded with time. I use white balance compensation frequently, especially when shooting sunrises and sunsets. So it was fun to try the “photomerge” technique with these images.

I’m still not convinced that “out of focus” is a technique I will use in the future. But, you never know what photo lies ahead where this would be good to apply.

I’m looking forward to next week’s theme, “Shadows.” Fingers crossed the weather holds up and I’ll be able to get outside for some really fun shots.

Donna

52 Week Challenge: Week 2 – “My Everyday”

January 15, 2019 / Donna Robinson Photography / 7 Comments

So, the theme for this past week was all about “My Everyday.” It was a pretty good theme, challenging me more to think about “the story” of my everyday, versus really practicing photography skills.

Here’s a glimpse into “My Everyday:”

“The Workout” – I try to make it a priority to squeeze in 5 days a week, either through cardio or resistance training. These are my “indoor shoes” and my “outdoor shoes.”

“The Master Tinkerer” – I had some help with the theme this week from my Dad. He will be 91 next month and is still extremely active. I’m blessed that “My Everyday” includes spending time with him. He ALWAYS has a project to work on and I’m slowing catching on.

img_9842 011119 my every day dad's workshop

“The Workshop” – The three (3) pictures above are of Dad’s workshop. He has a tool for EVERYTHING and every tool has an assigned space. Trust me, if he sends you out to his workshop to find a tool it will be EXACTLY where he said it would be!

The “End of the Day” – This is a pretty good representation of how most of my days come to an end. A refreshing beverage, a cozy fire, good music and long conversations with my husband.

Obviously, there is more to my “Everyday” but the above seem to sum it up the best. I’m humbled and blessed I have the health and the time to enjoy each.

The theme for Week 3 is “Out of Focus.” Wish me luck!

Donna

52 Week Photo Challenge – Time

January 7, 2019 / Donna Robinson Photography / 4 Comments

January has arrived in its usual form….a new year with new (or renewed) resolutions and a fresh, clean calendar waiting to be filled with appointments, birthdays, holidays and anniversaries. Yep! It’s here….2019 another year filled with 52 weeks and 365 days of possibilities.

I keep a running list of goals and projects throughout the year, January gives me an opportunity to pause and review/adjust my lists (yes, I said lists, plural). I won’t bore you with the details of each, but I will share that pretty close to the top you’ll always find “improve my photography skills.”

To jump start 2019, I decided one way to improve was to start a “Photography Challenge.” A fellow blogger, Anne – Slow Shutter Speed, gave me the idea last summer, so I finally decided to go for it. I have saved several “pins” on Pinterest, so I started there and found one that looked like fun: Project 52 Week Photo Challenge. I like the idea of a theme a week so that you have a chance to not only stretch your photography skills, but also your creativity with the theme.

The theme for Week 1 was “Time.” It was an easy one to start with as it seems like “Time” is everywhere and can be found in all shapes and sizes throughout your house.

Schweppes – Made in London

Up close Shot Using Macro Lens

Gold Tone Clock With Weights and Glass Dome

Up close Using Macro Lens

But, my favorite time pieces are the ones I found at my father’s house which he has lived in for 40+ years. So, in his house “time” has a way of documenting history.

The 1970’s “digital” Oven Clock. The oven still works.

There’s the “Golfer Clock” which commemorates a 1984 Golf Tournament Win

There’s also the timer which keeps the swimming pool running:

Notice the faded instructions on the metal box.

The dial has to be manually set and pegs are used to program the start and stop times.

But my favorite is this old GE Clock Radio. It’s one of those items that has always been around. My parents had it on their nightstand and Dad would listen to “Paul Harvey” every night before drifting off to sleep.

Time has passed and it is now prominently displayed in a guest bedroom with the furniture my parents bought when they were first married in 1950.

What I didn’t know about the radio is my mother originally purchased it while attending Georgia Baptist Nursing School in the 1940’s. After graduating, she carried it with her to Batty Hospital in Rome, Georgia where she and Dad eventually met. I just assumed the clock was something they purchased early in their marriage and it just stayed around because it still worked. But now knowing the story it has become a sentimental reminder of life, love and family.

I suppose you could say that “Time” is more than just the instrument which keeps track of the hours, minutes and seconds. “Time” becomes the memories captured throughout our lives as the clock ticks away and the calendar pages are turned.

Week 2 of the photo challenge is “Your Everyday.” This should be interesting………

Happy New Year!

Donna

Giving Thanks Over The Desert Rose

November 22, 2018November 22, 2018 / Donna Robinson Photography / 6 Comments

The following is a post from Thanksgiving 2016. As the Holiday Marathon begins, it’s a great reminder that Thanksgiving is more than the food on the table or the anticipation of the “black Friday sales.” It’s about taking the time to pause and being grateful. It’s about putting differences aside and remembering the importance of family, creating memories and showing your appreciation for your loved ones near and far.

My heart is full……..

“Give thanks to the Lord for he is good. His love endures forever.” Psalm 136:1 NIV

≈≈≈≈

I have many fond memories of my childhood. And, like most everyone else some are good and some are not so good. But, one of my favorite memories (which my sisters would also agree) is not of one particular event, but rather of multiple events centered around our mother’s dishes. These were the dishes that brought us together as a family every day at dinner time; these were the dishes where we chatted about the events of the day; these were the dishes that remind us of home, family and of her.

“Desert Rose by Franciscan” was the name of the pattern. With four (4) pink and white embossed flowers circling each plate, they were connected by their leaves and stems eloquently forming scalloped edges. The dish set came with everything you can imagine….there were dinner plates, salad plates, dessert plates, cups and saucers and the list goes on. There were even salt and pepper shakers in the shape of unopened blooms.

We don’t know what happened to her dish set. It’s almost as if when she passed away the dishes disappeared as well.

But, something strange and wonderful happened this year……..The dishes found their way back into our family. Well, not exactly the dishes, but a set just like them. As my husband and I were wandering through Tuesday Morning, I stumbled upon a knock-off set, took a picture and sent it to my sister. Within about 10 minutes she sent me a photo from an e-bay email link she had just received of an authentic set of the dishes. After about 20 minutes of texting back and forth with our other sister, we realized that it was the 40th anniversary of her passing. Perhaps our mother was speaking to us through the dishes?

Fast forward to Thanksgiving……Dad’s favorite holiday a time of the year he especially enjoys having the family together. Our typical get togethers are “buffet style, sit where you can find a seat kind of meals” leaving everyone scattered throughout different rooms. And so, this year my sisters and I decided to make Thanksgiving extra special by transforming the living room into a dining room in order to seat everyone at one table. Not a small feat to do, but we did it (thanks to the help of my husband)……..everyone had a seat at the table. And, at every place setting was “Desert Rose.”

With Dad seated at the head of the table and his grandchildren and great grandchildren intently listening to his every word, he proudly told the story of how the dishes came back into our lives. And then, just like the original dishes, they became the dishes we said grace over; they became the dishes we chatted over and caught up with each other about all that is happening in our lives; they became the dishes that now meant family, home and reminded us of our mother and “Giving Thanks over the Desert Rose.”

“The Art of a Handwritten Note”

November 18, 2018November 18, 2018 / Donna Robinson Photography / 3 Comments

For quite a while I have been mulling over the idea of creating a line of greeting cards featuring my photography. So, when the opportunity for early “re-wirement” (i.e. retirement) landed in my lap, I knew it was time to put a plan into motion. After all, how many times had I told myself: “When I retire I will have time to do this or I will have time to do that.”

That time arrived in early May and with the “wiring” of Corporate America still running through my veins the planning process began. Having already selected a few designs I was ahead of the curve, but several tasks still needed to be done: selecting the right paper, packaging, establishing a good price point, photographing the cards, building inventory, branding and most importantly finding the right outlet to sell them.

I may not have stayed completely true to my timelines, but I followed the process. Yes, there were weeks when I didn’t lift the camera, or do any research. But, as with any passion that burns deep within us, I was always “thinking” about the collection.

Finally, with all of the tasks completed, I am excited to introduce to you “The Art of a Handwritten Note – A Greeting Card Collection.” Those of you who have followed me for a while will recognize a few photos from my previous posts……below is a sampling of the cards.

IMG_7651 090518 Knock-out Roses copyright

IMG_7648 090518 North Georgia Wildflowers copyright

I don’t have any wild expectations from this journey, only to have a little fun and perhaps to brighten someone’s day either through my photography or the personal notes written on each card.

If you would like to read about “the story behind the story” or purchase the greeting cards through my Etsy storefront, you can follow this link to my “project page” The Art of a Handwritten Note

Thank you in advance for taking a peek at my collection. 🙂

Donna

Fall Fun With Macro Photography

November 11, 2018 / Donna Robinson Photography / 9 Comments

The Fall colors finally popped this week in Atlanta, but I’m afraid they will be short lived with more wind and rain on the way, tonight. The bird baths are full of both leaves and rain water and the garden (still needing some TLC) is totally covered as well. But, as the leaves have turned and dropped, Mother Nature has given me plenty of photo ops!

I haven’t used my Macro lens in a while so I thought today would be a good day to get outside and take some practice shots. So, I slid my feet into my warm, fuzzy slippers and headed outdoors.

Ugh, this bird bath is a total mess. But, don’t the leaves, water and the color of the birdbath compliment each other?

This little bird bath sits on the ground atop a few bricks…….we like to make sure the “critters” have water, too! And, because it’s on the ground I had to get a little creative to take these pictures…..thank goodness for the display view button!

The Fall colors also gave me a good backdrop for my (still) blooming knock-out roses.

Here’s a snapshot of my garden floor……like I said, it is totally covered with leaves!

Fingers crossed we’ll have a few more days of the Fall colors……..I don’t think I’m quite ready for the snow!

Have a great week!

Donna

Mosaic Landscape

November 4, 2018 / Donna Robinson Photography / 5 Comments

A quick day trip this weekend took us up to Lake Keowee just outside of Seneca, SC. The color of the leaves were so much more beautiful than we have had here in Atlanta. I couldn’t resist taking a quick photo (which doesn’t quite do justice to how beautiful the colors were).

“Winter is an etching,

Spring is a watercolor,

Summer an oil painting,

and Autumn a mosaic of them all.”

-Stanley Horowitz

“Happiness is a Butterfly”

October 19, 2018 / Donna Robinson Photography / 6 Comments

My garden is starting to look a little ragged. Some of my knock-out roses were hit by aphids this year, the birds, squirrels and chipmunks have made a complete mess with their seed droppings and my little bicycle planter is bare. Despite it all, however, the butterflies still find my garden pretty enough to feed on.

We seem to have had quite a few more of them this year and I couldn’t help myself the other night when I saw several of them hovering over one of my butterfly plants. At one point there were 4 or 5, but by the time I made it out with my cameras (plural because they were just too beautiful not to go back for the macro lens), there were only these three (3) beauties hovering around.

For as still as I tried to be, it was pretty difficult trying to capture them together. I finally settled on following this little guy around.

I never realized how long their “stingers” were for drinking the nectar out of the flowers. If you look closely in the photo below you can follow his arched stinger to the flower bud.

“Happiness is a butterfly, which when pursued, is always just beyond your grasp, but which, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you.”

-Nathaniel Hawthorne

Thoughts – “Everyone Has a Story…..”

August 6, 2018August 6, 2018 / Donna Robinson Photography / 7 Comments

“Everyone has a story and I want to hear it!” What an awesome quote which will always remind me of my husband’s late Uncle Dick. A retired Air Force Colonel, he had a wonderful gift for storytelling (a gift that later came in handy when he volunteered as a docent at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum). But, more than his knack for storytelling, he was also gifted with engaging people and listening to their stories.

My husband has this gift too, so I wasn’t surprised when he introduced me to Neal, a fellow guest at the B & B where we were staying in New Smyrna Beach, FL. I walked onto the dock just as Neal was baiting the hook of a borrowed fishing pole. Michael began to tell me that Neal and his wife, Carol, had just driven down from Jacksonville to celebrate their wedding anniversary………THEIR 63rd!!!

As we exchanged the usual greetings, Neal began to tell us all about their life adventures. A former Staff Sargent in the Air Force, he met his wife in a small town in Alabama. Shortly, after becoming newlyweds they were stationed in Alaska (not exactly your ideal place to start a marriage).

As Neal continued to fish he spoke about life after the Air Force and how he used his G.I. Bill to go to college. With a chuckle in his voice he went on about his career in electronics and later his retirement from insurance. He retired at 63 because his CPA told him, “you both have your health, you are financially secure, go travel the world and enjoy your lives.” And so, they did!

As the afternoon sun began to drop and the water became still, Neal reeled in the fishing line and packed up his tackle box. We chatted as we walked off the dock and Neal invited us to join them later for cocktails on their balcony.

When we arrived, we were greeted with smiles and they offered us drinks as they pointed to the small suitcase below……a “traveling bar.” Packed with all of the necessities (vodka, rum and bourbon) Neal and Carol were well prepared to celebrate their anniversary. Michael and I looked at each, smiled and said to them “you sure do know how to travel!” To which, Neal responded with a wink and his trademark chuckle “it saves on travel costs if you bring your own liquor.”

We chatted for well over an hour as they both shared little stories about their life together. Stories about their first few months as newlyweds in Alaska; stories about their children and grand children; and stories about enjoying each other and making the most of life in retirement. Each were very sweet, touching and gentle reminders of the importance of cherishing your loved ones and the memories you make each and every day.

Life is a journey and people come and go along the way. Take the time to stop and talk to them even though they may be a stranger……..after all “Everyone has a story.”

Happy Friday

July 27, 2018 / Donna Robinson Photography / 4 Comments

So, it seems my new found freedom of “re-wirement” has led Michael and I on a journey of last minute road trips. I love it, especially since we can leave and return at our leisure..…..no more Monday morning meetings to race back to!

Our road-trips have given me lots of blog post material and I’m busy working on a few to share with you. In the meantime, here are a few photos I took of a beautiful white Egret from one of our excursions to New Smyrna Beach, FL.

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Happy Friday……enjoy your weekend!

Donna